KIRKUS REVIEW

Doeden makes the effort here to
bring whistleblowing out of the seamy shadows and describe its role.

It may be a new word, but
whistleblowing is no new phenomenon; the Continental Congress acknowledged the
citizen’s duty “to give the earliest information to Congress or any other
proper authority of any misconduct, frauds and misdemeanors committed by any
officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their
knowledge.” Of course, this brings up the age-old question of who is spying on
the spies or, even more vital: to whom does a whistleblower give the
information? Doeden makes it clear that whistleblowing is a selfless deed, one
that may well have implications for the whistleblower down the road, including
exile, as those in Washington wrangle over whether Homeland Security trumps the
First Amendment when it comes to “misconduct, frauds and misdemeanors.” As
Doeden shows, nearly one-third of the states do not have laws protecting
whistleblowers’ “rights to report illegal activity [as] part of a philosophy of
social obligation...when it could prevent or reduce harm of suffering.” To
illustrate his case, he draws a number of sharp vignettes (accompanied by
photographs) of whistleblowing importance: Enron, the Jerry Sandusky scandal,
Watergate, FBI withholding of crucial 9/11 information; Edward Snowden’s story
leads everything off.

A keen challenge to received
opinions for high schoolers to chew long and hard upon. (Nonfiction. 13-18)

Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.